Ecology & Wreck Management
Let's focus our efforts on protecting the environment
- Let's practice eco-friendly habits every day
Report any wrecks encountered
Let's recycle our boats
Protecting the environment is everyone's business!
Everyday eco-friendly actions
By adopting the right practices, we can help preserve water quality and prevent accidental pollution.
This pollution is sometimes caused by the use of products that are more or less harmful during navigation, mooring, or boat maintenance operations.
Let's review them by category and take note of some practical tips for preventing and avoiding this pollution.
Grey and black water
When in port, I prefer to use the toilets provided.
I prefer mechanical cleaning (brush, high-pressure cleaner, etc.).
I prefer to use water from the stream whenever possible.
I limit the use of cleaning products by :
- Preferring to wash with clear water,
- I choose ecological and biodegradable cleaning products (official ecolabels) and opt for multi-purpose products,
- Using land-based facilities (showers, washbasins, toilets) as a priority.
I empty wastewater tanks using existing pumping systems and
only in the areas provided for this purpose in ports and harbours.
Waste
I sort my garbage on board and dispose of it in the designated areas or facilities.
I keep my garbage cans on board and only dispose of them in the bins provided.
I don't throw my cigarette butts into the canal: I use a portable ashtray or an ashtray with a lock.
I'm careful with objects and packaging that could fall into the water, especially lightweight items that can be blown by the wind.
Oils
I collect used oil in the appropriate receptacles and put it back in cans, and I dispose of it, along with filters and greasy tissues, in the collection points provided for this purpose in ports and harbors.
Iuse environmentally-friendly lubricants (oils of vegetable origin and biodegradable).
Iregularly maintain my engine and have it serviced by a professional for better performance and lower consumption.
Hydrocarbons
I properly discharge bilge water by :
- Empty them into a waste collector for soiled products, using a suitable pump (equipped ports),
- I use water-repellent absorbent sheets that I change regularly to keep the bilge water clean,
- Deposit these leaves in the specialized bins/containers at port collection points or at waste collection centers.
I'm equipped with an anti-pollution kit.
I carefully top up the fuel tank:
- When transferring fuel from a canister to a tank, in the absence of a refuelling station, I use a hand pump or a non-drip spout to avoid spills, and I operate in a quiet environment,
- To avoid fuel spillage at the pump, I use an anti-spill nozzle.
Antifouling paints
I prefer antifouling:
- Water-based (no solvents and some with a vegetable composition),
- Silicone-based,
- Biofilm-based,
Or I use a specific system:
- Ultrasonic,
- Fouling guard (tarpaulin installed over the submerged part of the hull)
